Dozens of workers and advocates gathered at a hearing to call on the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) and the Industrial Commission to convert existing voluntary heat safety guidelines into mandatory rules with clear enforcement and penalties. They emphasized the need for stronger protections to prevent heat-related illnesses and fatalities on the job.
Currently, heat safety measures in Arizona remain voluntary, leaving workers vulnerable during extreme temperatures. Advocates argue that enforceable standards would ensure employers take necessary precautions to safeguard employee health.
**Why this matters**
Arizona experiences high temperatures that pose significant health risks to outdoor and manual laborers. Without mandatory heat safety rules, workers face increased dangers such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Implementing enforceable regulations could reduce workplace injuries and save lives by holding employers accountable for maintaining safe conditions.
Source: NewsData